Rescue teams battled to free workers trapped in hydropower tunnels after devastating floods in Nepal, though Nepal Army thermal drones detected no signs of life. The floods, triggered by a falling glacier slab along Nepal’s border with Tibet, killed at least 675 people, with over 2,400 still missing. After initially reporting around 1,000 missing, the Nepali government doubled the count on Friday as hydroelectric producers updated their tallies.

Over 933 workers remain trapped across five damaged hydropower projects, including Trishuli 3A, while 279 have been rescued so far. Rescue efforts involve digging through mud, boring through tunnel walls, and using explosives. Army personnel struggled to advance just seven yards into the Trishuli 3A tunnel on Saturday, requiring a temporary helipad for helicopter access.

Critics argue that authorities could have acted more swiftly, noting that mountaineering guides were on standby but not deployed until Saturday morning. Bhim Gautam, chief executive of the Independent Power Producers’ Association, said timely rescue efforts might have saved lives. The affected projects, located along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli Rivers, highlight the risks of Nepal’s expanding hydroelectric industry, which draws foreign investment but operates in hazardous terrain.